Tools for cutting flexible lines



June 4, 1957 w. J. LAWRENCE ETAL TOOLS FOR CUTTING FLEXIBLE LINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 26, 1954 INVENTORS Z V V f: t: {w W Z M yz fiiwm. flm

June 4, 1957 w. .1. LAWRENCE ETAL 2,794,519

TOOLS FOR CUTTING FLEXIBLE LINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 26, 1954 m m T i M rk 91 P. w M m 5 in uM m #QM m o n 4/ fl Y 19 B MJ June 4, 1957 w. J. LAWRENCE ETAL TOOLS FOR CUTTING FLEXIBLE LINES 4 Shets-Sheet 3 Filed April 26, 1954 1N VEN TOR;

ATTOR/Vf YJ' W////am d Zawrence Myron M. /(//7/eg do/m C. Am/ey United States Patent 2,794,619 Toots non currnro nrnxmrn LLNES William J. Lawrence, Myron M. Kinley, and Hahn Kinley, Houston, Tex.; said Lawrence assignor to sand Myron M. Kinley Application April 26, 1954, Seriai No. 425,536 15 Claims. Cl. 255-34 This invention relates to new and useful improvements in tools for cutting flexible lines.

In well drilling and other operations, well tools and other devices are often supported and manipulated by a flexible line or cable, such as a wire line, electric line, sand line, drilling lines, or other similar lines, and in some instances such tools or devices become stuck or lodged in the well bore so that it is impossible to retrieve the tool or device by pulling on the flexible line. It then becomes necessary to sever the line at an inaccessible point in the well bore to salvage the line. When the line is severed, it becomes possible to either attach some other type of fishing tool to the stick tool or device for retrieving such tool or device from the well bore, or to remove the stuck tool or device by pulling the tubing or pipe in which the stuck tool or device is located.

One type of cutting tool for severing the wire line under the above circumstances is illustrated in U. S. Patent 2,185,303, issued January 2, 1940, to M. M. Kinley.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved tool for cutting a flexible line in an inaccessible point such as in a well bore, including a new and improved means for gripping the flexible line for removal of said tool from the well bore.

An important object of this invention is to provide a new and improved tool for cutting a flexible line in a well bore, including cutting means for severing said flexible line, and gripping means for engaging said wire during the removal of said tool from the well bore on said flexible line, said gripping means effecting an increased gripping contact with said flexible line upon said removal of said tool, whereby the danger of inadvertent release of said tool from said line during said removal is reduced. I

A further object of this invention is to provide in a cutting tool for severing a flexible line at an inaccessible point in a well bore, means for facilitating the downward movement of said tool past an obstruction upon manipulation of said line wherein said means includes means for preventing upward movement of said tool during such manipulation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved tool for cutting a flexible line in a well bore wherein means are provided for urging said tool towards the lower end of said line in the well bore upon manipulation of said line.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specifications and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, illustrating one form of the cutting tool of this invention.

2 ,794,619 Fatented June 4-, 1957 Figure 2 is a detail view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the upper portion of the cutting tool of Figure 1 and particularly illustrating a means for gripping the flexible line prior to the actuation of such means, and a means for facilitating downward movement of the tool.

Figure 2A is a vertical sectional view illustrating in detail a part of the lower portion of the cutting tool of Figure 1.

Figure 2B is a horizontal sectional view taken on line ZB-ZB of Figure 2A.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but illustrating the means for gripping the flexible line after actuation of such means.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating a modified construction of the upper portion of the cutting tool of this invention in position prior to actuation of the cutting means and the gripping means of the tool.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, but illustrating the position after the cutting means and the gripping means of the tool have been actuated.

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 88 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a sectional view illustrating a portion of the device of Figure 2 with a modified pipe engaging means or finger therewith.

In the drawings, the letter A designates generally the cutting tool of this invention, which is adapted to be dropped into a well bore, well pipe, or casing C along a flexible line F. The cutting tool A has a tubular body 10 which is formed in several parts and which has mounted therewith a cutting means and a gripping means. The cutting means includes a cutter knife or blade 12 in the lower end of the body 10, which is adapted to be urged laterally for cutting through the flexible line F (Figure l). The gripping means includes a slidable gripping member 14 at the upper end of the body 10 (Figure 2), which is adapted to engage in gripping contact with the flexible line F.

The cutting tool of this invention is particularly suitable for cutting flexible lines such as those commonly referred to as wire lines, sand lines, electric lines and drilling lines, which are located in a well bore, casing or other well pipe. Generally, the flexible line F to be cut by the tool A is connected by a rope socket 15 or similar connecting means to a well tool or other device therebelow (not shown) which is stuck in the well pipe C. In order to salvage the line F and to expose the stuck tool for a fishing operation, it is necessary to cut the flexible line F from the stuck well device. Therefore, it becomes important to lower the cutting tool as near to the lower end of the flexible line F as possible and therefore as close to the rope socket 15 as possible. As will be explained, the cutting tool is preferably lowered by sliding same down the flexible line F by its own weight, and, if there are no obstructions in the well bore or well casing C, the cutting tool A will normally drop by gravity to the, lower end of the flexible line F and will then be stopped in its descent by contact with the rope socket 15. However, there are frequently obstructions in the well pipe which prevent the normal descent of the cutting tool A along the flexible line F. Such possible obstructions are deformations in the well pipe or casing C, scale deposits and cement deposits on the inside of the casing, and other similar ob-' structions within the casing. Also defects or irregularities in the flexible line P, such as kinks, loose strands, flags ,or

. 2) which fit beneath markers in the line, and other defects, may result in the cutting tool being prematurely stopped in its descent, with the result that upon actuation of the cutting means of the tool, the line F would be cut sofar above the stuck device in the casing C that'it would be diflicult to remove the stuck device by the usual fishing operations. Also,'it may become necessary to remove suflicient sections of the pipe C to expose the upper end of the uncut portion of the flexible line F, then locate and remove the obstruction, and then again attempt to lower the cutting tool. to the lower end of the line F. Ifsuch procedure is not successful, then all of the pipe C must be raised and removed until the section of pipe C in which the stuck device is located reaches the surface of the well, withthe'line'F being cut as each section of the pipe C is removed? it will be obvious that the line F will thus be cut into several or more pieces which must be spliced together for subsequent use of the line. The expense and disadvantages which result from a failure to get the 'cutting tool near the lower end of the line F are therefore manifest.

To overcome such danger of cutting the 'line F at too great a distance above the lower end thereof, means are provided on the tool of this invention for urging such tool towards the lower end of the flexible line F upon a manipulation of the flexible line. In the form of the invention shown in Figures l-S, such means includes a casing engaging finger 17 (Figure 2), and in the form' of the invention shown in Figures 6 and 7 such means includes in addition to the finger 17 a creeper member 18, all of which will be explained in detail hereinafter. As will also be explained more in detail, after the cutting tool A has reached the lower end of the flexible line F, the gripping means and the cutting means of the tool are actuated by dropping a weight W into the well casing for contact with the tool to effect a gripping of the line F with the gripping means and a cutting of the line F with the cutting means a considerable distance below the gripping means, whereupon the cutting tool can be retrieved from the well casing by pulling upwardly on the then cut flexible line F; the gripping means is so constructed that the danger of dropping the tool from the flexible line F during such retrieving is avoided or reduced. 1 l 7 Referring now to the details of the form of the cutting tool illustrated in Figures 1 5, the body lfi'includes an upper body portion 19a and a lower body portion b which are secured together by retaining screws 21 (Figure a flange 10 on the upper end of the lower body portion 10b. The cutting knife or blade 12 of the cutting means is preferably in the shape of a cylinder which is disposed on a horizontal axis and which is formed with recesses 12d to provide a cutting edge 12a and a cylindrical portion 1212 which is positioned in lateral curved recesses 16 in the lower body portion 10b and inwardly of the walls of the body portion 10b to guide the knife 12 laterally and to prevent same from falling. The knife 12 is adapted to be urged laterally outwardly in the recesses 16 for cutting through the line F by a downward longitudinal movement of a plunger 22 which is mounted in the bore of the body portion 10a (Figs. 1 and 2A) for longitudinal movement therein. Such plunger 22 has an inclined face 22a contacting the rear inclined surface 12c of the knife 12 whereby such plunger 22 forms a wedge which gradually urges the knife 12 laterally outwardly upon the downward movement of the plunger 22 relative to the knife 12. Prior to the actuation of the plunger 22 to effect its relative downward movement, it is retained in its upper position by the knife 12 when such knife 12 is held against movement by a shear pin 23 or other suitable means, which extends through the cutting blade 12 and the lower body portion 10b. The extent of downward movement of plunger 22 is preferably limited by a stop member 25, which has an inclined face 25a of a similar inclination as the inclined face 22a of the plunger 22. The stop member 25 is held flxed in the body portion 4 10b by a retaining pin 20 (Figure 1) which extends therethrough.

Above the plunger 22 an explosive powder charge 26 (Figure l) is located, which is adapted to be exploded upon the firing of a percussion cap 27 located thereabove in the bore of a support sleeve 24 in the lower body portion 10b. The percussion cap 27 is detonated or fired by a firing pin 28 slidably positioned in the upper end of the body portion 10b.

An actuating rod 30 is located above the firing pin 28 and it extends through the hereof the upper body portion 10a. The actuating rod 30 is prevented from rotating by a pin 31 in the upper body portion 10a, which extends into a longitudinal recess 32 in the upper end of the actuating rod 30. A coil spring 35 is disposed in the bore of the upper body portion 10a around the lower end of the actuating rod 30. The lower end of the spring 35 rests on an inwardly extending annular radial shoulder 36, while the upper end of the spring 35 contacts or bears against a wedge-shaped collar 37 which surrrounds the rod 30. The gripping member 14 rests upon an inclined upper surface 37a of the collar 37 and has a U-shaped rear portion, which is formed by legs 14:: and 14b, which extend about the actuating rod 30 (Figure 5). A shear pin 39 extends through the legs 14a and 14b of the gripping member 14 and the actuating rod 30. For assembly purposes, an access hole 34 is provided in the body portion 10a to permit the insertion of the shear pin 39. The gripping member 14 is thus held fixed relative to the rod 30 by the pin 39 so that the upward urging of the compressed spring 35 against the collar 37 and member 14 urges the rear inclined surface 14c of the member 14 against an inclined surface 40 on the body portion 10a to thereby limit the upward move-.

ment of the rod 30 relative to the body portion 10a and hold the rod 30 in its upper positionlFigure 2). -Upon a downward travel of the actuating rod 30 from its upper position, the shear pin 39 is sheared so as to release the connection between the gripping member 14 and the rod 30 whereupon the spring 35 is released from its compressed position (Figure 2) and acts to urge the gripping member 14 longitudinally upwardly relative to the'body ofthe tool (Figure 3). During such upward longitudinal movement of the gripping member 14, the inner or rear face 14c of the gripping member 14 contacts and is guided by the upwardly and outwardly inclined guide surface 40 on the upper body portion 10a, the inner face 140 being inclined to correspond with the inclination of the surface 40 whereby the gripping member 14 is urged by the spring 35 outwardly or laterally with respect to the body during its upward movement. Such longitudinal and lateral movement of the gripping member 14 urges the downwardly extending gripping teeth on the outer surface 14d of the gripping member 14 into contact with the flexible line F (Figure 3) so that the gripping teeth engage the flexible line with a gripping contact. Although it is desirable'to transmit thespn'ng force from spring 35 to the member 14 through'the collar 37, such collar 37 can be eliminated so that. the spring 35 contacts the member 14 directly.

The actuating rod 30 has an enlarged diameter portion 30a above a laterally extending shoulder 3%, which is of sufficient size so that the actuating rod 30 is guided by the walls of the bore of the upper body portion during its downward longitudinal movement. The longitudinal inner walls of the annular radial flange 36 of the upper body portion 10a guide the lower portion'of the actuating rod 30 during the downward travelof the rod 30. At the upper enlarged portion of the actuating rod 30, a longitudinal recess 30c is formed in one side of the;

rod 30.

The casing engaging finger 17 is pivotally mounted in a longitudinal slot 41 in the body 10 on. a pivot pin 42, which extends through an elongate pivot opening 17a in the gripping finger 17 and through the body 10, whereby the finger 17 is adapted to pivot about thepivot pin 42. A spring 43 is connected to a lug 45 on the body and to a pin 17!) on the gripping member 17 (Figures 2-4).

The spring 43 urges the finger 17 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 2) around the pivot pin 42, but such pivoting is limited by the contact of the lower edge of the rear surface 17c of the finger 17 with the exterior surface of the actuating rod 30 at a point below the recess 300. However, the teeth on the outer surface 17d of the finger 17, which are adapted to engage the casing C do not prevent the finger 17 from pivoting in a clockwise direction during the lowering-of the tool along the flexible line F. Likewise, the contact of the rear surface 170 of the finger 17 does not prevent such clockwise rotation about the pivot pin 42, so that the finger 17 does not interfere with the lowering of the tool along the flexible line. The finger 17 will, however, tend to prevent the tool from moving upwardly relative to the casing by reason of the contact of the gripping teeth 17d with the interior of the casing C. Such construction serves to prevent the upward movement of the tool A when the flexible line F is reciprocated, or alternately stretched and slacked, so that such manipulations of the flexible line F can be transmitted to the tool for causing it to move sufliciently to pass the usual obstructions in the casing C or on the line F which might otherwise prevent the tool A from sliding down to the rope socket 15. During such reciprocation, there is thus no tendency of the tool to be moved upwardly with the flexible line when the line is being pulled or stretched upwardly, so that all of the manipulations of the flexible line result in a downward travel of the tool along the line to aid the tool in reaching the lower end of the line.

When the actuating rod 36 has been moved to its lower position, then the finger 17 is disposed opposite the recess 300 (Figure 3) and is therefore retracted by the spring 43 so that the tool can be raised upwardly in the pipe along with the flexible line F after the line F has been severed without interference by the finger 17. It should be pointed out that the finger 17 could be mounted in a fixed position at the angle shown in Figure 2, but preferably at an angle more nearly vertical than that shown in Figure 2, whereby the pivot 42, spring 43 and recess 300 would be unnecessary. In such case, the finger 17 would be made thin and brittle enough to permit breaking thereof during the retrieving of the cutting tool after the line F has been cut, but it would have suflicient strength to resist upward movement of the tool A during manipulation of the line F. Such modified pipe engaging finger 117 is illustrated in Figure 9.

For the guiding of the tool in its descent along the flexible line F, the body 10 includes a longitudinal opening 50 (Figure 2) in the upper body portion 16a and a longitudinal opening 51 (Figure 2A) in the lower body portion 1012, which openings 50 and 51 are aligned longitudinally.

The flexible line F is enclosed in the longitudinal opening 50 by a curved bracket 52, which is releasably connected to the upper body portion 10a by screws 53 (Figure 4) so that the tool can be initially positioned on the line F at the surface of the well. The opening 51 (Figures 2A and 2B) in the lower body portion 10b is formed by a bracket 55 which fits part of the way around the body portion 10b and is rernovably secured thereto by screws 56 (Figure 23). Actually, in the embodiment shown, in order to reduce the overall diameter of the tool, the opening 51 is formed partially by a curved longitudinal section or groove 57 on the body portion 16b which forms with the curved inner wall 55a of the bracket 55 the tubular opening 51 (Figure 2B). The guide recesses 16 in the bore of the body portion 10b for guiding the knife 12 are extended through the curved section 57 and are aligned with similar recesses 55b in the bracket 55.

In the operation or use of the tool illustrated in Figures 1-5, it will be positioned on the flexible line F at the surface of the well by securing the brackets 52 and 55 to the body portions 10a and 1011, respectively. The tool A is then dropped by its own weight, that is, by gravity, and is guided along the flexible line F during its descent in the well bore or casing C. During such downward travel, the parts of the tool A are in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, and therefore the cutting blade 12 and the gripping member 14 is in its retracted position. After suflicient time has elapsed for the tool to reach the lower end of the flexible line in contact with the rope socket 15, then the flexible line is reciprocated, or jiggled so as to alternately stretch and slack the line. If the tool has been stuck in the well, such manipulation of the flexible line F will impart a movement to the tool A which will tend to urge the tool past the usual obstructions in the well casing or on the line F. The finger 17, being in the position shown in Figure 2, will prevent any upward movement of the tool A during such manipulation of the flexible line F, so that the tool will not be merely pulled up and down with the manipulation of the line, but, instead, will be prevented from any upward movement, and there.- fore the movement transmitted to the tool only results in downward sliding of the tool along the flexible line.

When the tool reaches the lower end of the flexible line and is in contact with the rope socket 15, a Weight W is dropped into the casing C. Such weight may be also guided along the flexible line F by a guide bracket similar to bracket 52 used for the tool A. At any rate, the weight W falls and hits the head 30a of the actuating rod 30 and drives it downwardly relative to the body 10 of the tool. Upon such downward movement of the rod 30, the shear pin 39 is severed, releasing the gripping member 14, the collar 37, and the coil spring 35 so that the spring 35 is free to urge the gripping member 14 upwardly along the inclined surface 49. Also, the downward movement of the rod 39 is transmitted to the firing pin 28 which hits the percussion cap 27 to detonate same and thereby explodes the powder charge 26, such explosion driving the plunger 22 downwardly. The downward movement of the plunger 22 forces the cutting knife or blade 12 outwardly or laterally, shearing the pin 23 or other retaining means, whereby the flexible line F is cut in two, or severed, by the knife 12. Thus, the actuation of the tool upon the contact of the weight against the upper end or head 30d of the actuating rod 30 results in the movement of the gripping member 14 into gripping contact with the flexible line F and also results in the cutting of the flexible line F by the cutting blade or knife 12. It sometimes happens that the line F is under tension when the knife 12 makes its out with the result that the line F tends to jump upwardly upon being out. With the gripping member 14 a considerable distance above the knife 12, as in this invention, there is little danger of the line F jumping upwardly a suflicient distance to jump free of the member 14 before it has firmly gripped the line F.

After the flexible line F has been cut, the tool is removed from the well casing C by lifting or pulling upwardly on the flexible line F. The gripping means of the tool, including the gripping member 14, is so constructed that the tool will not be released from the line F when the flexible line F is pulled upwardly, because as such flexible line F is pulled upwardly, it wedges the gripping member 14 tightly between the inclined guide surface 40 on the upper body portion 10a and the flexible line F, so that the teeth on the outer surface 140. firmly grip the flexible line F. The more pull that is exerted on the flexible line F, the greater the urging of the gripping member 14into contact with line F becomes, so that the danger of losing the tool A during the retrieving operation is avoided.

The form of the invention shown in Figures 6 and 7 is identical with that shown in Figures 1-5, except that the creeper member 18 is combined therewith, as well as the structure for guiding same. Also, the actuating 7 rod 30 and the upper body portion 10a are elongated as comparedtothe form of the invention shown in Figures 1-5, and therefore a guide bearing 60 is secured to the actuating rod to prevent buckling of the rod during its downward travel under the impact of the drop weight W.

T'he'creeper member 18 is substantially identical to the gripping member 14, but it is inverted and serves an entirely difierent purpose and functions in a different manner. Thus, the creeping member 18 has upwardly extending gripping teeth on its outer surface 18a, and has its inner surface 18b inclined and in contact with a downwardly and outwardly inclined guide surface 62 on the upper body portion 10a, whereby the creeper member 18 is guided laterally outwardly during its downward travel relative to the upper body portion 10a, causing the teeth 18a to engage with the flexible line F. The member 18 has legs 18c and 18d (Figure 8) which are constructed in thesame manner 'as legs 14a and 14b of the gripping member 14 and which are adapted to extend around the actuating rod 30 in the same manner as legs 14:: and 14b. The legs 18c and 18d are formed with laterally extending lugs 18e and 18 respectively, which fit within inclined guide grooves 64 and 65, respectively, in the body portion 101:, whereby said creeper member 18 is prevented from shifting during its sliding movement toward and away from the line F. Also, the grooves 64 and 65 extend to the bracket 52 so that during handling of the tool prior to the use thereof on a line, the creeper member 18 is prevented from dropping out of the tool.

The operation of the form of the invention, illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, is identical with the form shown in Figures 1-5, except for the operation and function of the creeper member 18, which works in conjunction with the finger 17 to more positively urge the tool A downwardly on the line F to assure that the tool reaches the lower end of the flexible line F.

Thus, prior to the actuation of the actuating rod 30 by dropping the weight W thereon, and prior to the release of the gripping member 14 from the shear pin 39, the finger 17 and the creeper member 18 will be in the position shown in Figure 6. Upon manipulation of the flexible line by reciprocation thereof to alternately stretch and slack said line F, the finger 17 prevents the upward movement of the tool A relative to the casing C when the line F is pulled or stretched upwardly. The creeper member 18 will slide upwardly along the inclined surface 62 during such upward pulling on the flexible line F so that the member 18 does not prevent such upward movement and stretch-ing of the line. However, upon the downward movement of the flexible line F to slack same, the creeper member 18 will be wedged between the inclined surface 62 and the flexible line F to grip the line F and will therefore carry the tool A downwardly with the flexible line F as it is slacked. Such manipulation is repeated in order to move the tool downwardly past the obstruction or obstructions, and therefore the tool is positively urged toward the bottom of the flexible line F by such manipulation of the line.

When the tool of the form shown in Figures 6 and 7 has reached the rope socket 15, it is actuated in the same manner as the form of the tool illustrated in Figures 1-5; that is, by dropping the weight W downwardly into the well casing to contact the upper end or head 30d of the actuating rod 30. The gripping member 14 is actuated to grip the flexible line F and the cutting line or blade'12 is actuated to sever the line F, whereupon the tool may be removed from the Well casing by raising the line F. It will be appreciated that during such removal of the tool, after the line has been severed, the finger 17 and the line gripping member 18 are inactive and do not obstruct or prevent the removal of the tool.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various 8 changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of (the illustrated construction, may be made Within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invent-ion.

' What is claimed is:' V V W 1. A tool for cutting a flexible line, comprising a body, means on said body to guide it in sliding movement along said flexible line, gripping means on said body for gripping said line to hold said tool against movement relative to said line, cutting means on said body for cutting said line below the point of gripping thereof by said gripping means, means for "actuating said gripping means and said cutting means, and means for increasing the gripping action of said gripping means on said line upon an upward pull of said line whereby after said line has been cut by said cutting means said tool may be retrieved from the well bore by pulling on said line.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said gripping means includes a gripping member mounted in said body for movement into gripping contact with said line upon actuation of said gripping means, and wherein said means for increasing the gripping action of said gripping means includes a resilient means for urging said gripping member longitudinally upwardly relative to said body, and an inclined guide on said body for guiding said gripping member radially into gripping contact with the flexible line upon the upward longitudinal movement of the gripping member.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1, including means for retaining said gripping means out of contact with said flexible line prior to actuation thereof by said actuat- 7 ing means.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1, including means for positively urging said tool downwardly to the lower end of said flexible line upon alternate stretching and slacking of said flexible line.

5. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said flexible line is in a well pipe, and including pipe engaging means for engaging the well pipe to prevent upward movement of said tool in the Well pipe prior to the actuation of said gripping means and said cutting means, whereby upon alternate stretching and slacking of said flexible line said tool is prevented from moving upwardly relative to the well pipe so that only downward urging of said tool results from such manipulation of the flexible line.

6. In a tool for cutting a line within a well bore, having a body, means for guiding the tool along said line,

cutting means for cutting said line, and gripping means for gripping said line to retrieve said tool on said line after said line is cut by said cutting means, the improvement residing in said gripping means including a gripping mem'ber slidably mounted in said body, resilient means for urging said member longitudinally relative to said body, and co-acting surfaces on said member and said body for guiding said member into a wedged position between said body and said line upon the longitudinal urging of said resilient means to establish a gripping engagement of said gripping member with said line which is increased upon an upward pull on said line, whereby said tool can be retrieved from the well bore on said line.

7. In a tool for cutting a line within a well bore having a body, means for guiding the tool along said line, cutting means for cutting said line, and gripping means for gripping said line to retrieve said tool on said line after said line is cut by said cutting means, the improvement residing in said gripping means including a gripping member having an outer surface with teeth thereon adapted to engage said line and an inner inclined surface, said body having an inclined guide surface contacting said inner inclined surface of said gripping member for guiding said gripping member upwardly and outwardly relative to said body, and resilient means for urging said gripping member upwardly along said inclined guide surface of said body.

8. The structure set forth in claim 7, wherein said body has an axial bore therethrough, an actuating rod in said body longitudinally movable relative to said body, said rod having an upper portion thereof extending above said body whereby said rod may be urged downwardly relative to said body upon contact thereof by a weight dropped into the well bore, and releasable means connecting said rod to said gripping member which is releasable upon the downward movement of said actuating rod whereby said gripping member is released for the longitudinal urging by said resilient means.

9. In a tool for cutting a line within a well pipe, having a body, means for guiding the tool along said line, cutting means for cutting said line, gripping means for gripping said line to retrieve said tool on said line after said line is cut by said cutting means, and means for actuating said cutting means and said gripping means, the improvement residing in means for facilitating the downward movement of said tool on said line past an obstruction upon manipulation of said line, including a finger mounted on said body for engaging said pipe upon an upward movement of said tool to prevent an upward movement of said tool during the alternate stretching and slacking of said line whereby only downward movement of said tool is effected by such alternate stretching and slacking of said line, and means to render said finger ineffective for engaging said pipe so that said finger does not interfcre with the raising of said tool after said line has been cut by said cutting means.

10. In a tool for cutting a line within a well pipe, having a body, means for guiding the tool along said line, cutting means for cutting said line, gripping means for gripping said line to retrieve said tool on said line after said line is cut by said cutting means, and means for actuating said cutting means and said gripping means, the improvement residing in means for facilitating the downward movement of said tool on said line past an obstruction upon alternate stretching and slacking of said line, including a finger mounted on said body for engaging said pipe upon an upward movement of said tool to prevent an upward movement of said tool during the alternate stretching and slacking of said line, a creeper member slidably mounted on said body, and means for guiding said member into gripping contact with said line as said line is slacked during the alternate stretching and slacking thereof whereby said tool is carried downwardly with said line as it is slacked to urge said tool downwardly past an obstruction.

11. The structure set forth in claim 9, wherein said finger is pivotally mounted for swinging upwardly during the lowering of the tool on said line, and means for preventing downward swinging of said finger during the alternate stretching and slacking of said line.

12. The structure set forth in claim 10, wherein said finger is pivotally mounted for swinging upwardly during the lowering of the tool on said line, and means for preventing downward swinging of said finger during the alternate stretching and slacking of said line.

13. In a wire line cutting tool for use in a well bore including a cutter means for cutting said wire line and movable means to actuate said cutter means and ratchet means, the improvement residing in ratchet means for preventing upward movement of said tool in the well, including an engaging means for engaging the inside wall of the well bore to prevent upward movement of said tool in said well bore, urging means for said engaging means for urging said engaging means towards said wall, and release means operable by said movable means for releasing said engaging means from contact with said wall of the well bore to thereby permit raising of said tool in the well bore without interference by said engaging means.

14. The structure set forth in claim 1, including a creeper means slidably mounted on said body for engaging said wire line upon a lowering of said line for carrying said tool downwardly with said line as it is lowered.

15. The structure set forth in claim 13, including a creeper means slidably mounted on said body for engaging said wire line upon a lowering of said line for carrying said tool downwardly with said line as it is lowered.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,596,608 Gallman et a1. Aug. 17, 1926 1,776,026 Hinderliter Sept. 16, 1930 2,678,101 ThaXton May 11, 1954 

